Japanese superstitions

Japanese superstitions are rooted in the culture and history of Japan and the Japanese people. Superstitious beliefs are common in Japan; most have roots in Japan's history.[1] A number of Japanese superstitions have their basis in Japanese custom and culture and are meant to teach lessons or serve as practical advice.

Some superstitions that are common in Japan have been imported from other cultures. The unluckiness of a black cat crossing one's path is one notable example. The Japanese also share superstitions with other Asian cultures, particularly the Chinese, with whom they share significant historical and cultural ties. The unluckiness of the number four is one such example, as the Japanese word for "four" sounds like the word for "death."

A significant portion of Japanese superstition is related to language. Numbers and objects which have names that are homophones for words such as "death" and "suffering" are typically considered unlucky. Other superstitions relate to the literal meanings of words. Another significant part of Japanese superstition has its roots in Japan's ancient Pagan, animist culture and regards certain natural things as having kami. Thus, many Japanese superstitions involve beliefs about animals and depictions of animals bringing about good or bad fortune.[2]

If a funeral hearse drives past, you must hide your thumb in a fist. This is because the Japanese word for thumb literally translates as "parent-finger" and hiding it is considered protection for your parents. If you don't, your parents will die.[4]

There are several unlucky numbers in Japanese. Traditionally, 4 and 9 are unlucky. Four is sometimes pronounced shi, which is also the word for death.[4] Nine is also sometimes pronounced ku, which can mean suffering. 13 is also occasionally thought of as unlucky, although this is imported from Western culture. Because of these unlucky numbers, sometimes levels or rooms with 4 or 9 don't exist in hospitals or hotels, and particularly in the maternity section of a hospital, the room number 43 is avoided because it can literally mean "still birth". Therefore, when giving gifts such as sets of plates, they are normally sets of three or five, never four.[2]